Filming is now well underway for
the 18th series of Midsomer for transmission in 2016.

Joining the team this series will
be a new pathologist Dr Kam Karimore played by Manjinder Virk
(Ordinary Lies, Call the Midwife, The Arbor), who will assist Barnaby
and Nelson as they tackle intricate murder mysteries in the beautiful
but deadly countryside of Midsomer.

Storylines will include
bodysnatching, competitive cycling and the sighting of UFO's over
Midsomer County.

Director of Drama, ITV Channels
Steve November and Controller of Drama Victoria Fea have commissioned
the new episodes.

"Midsomer Murders is one of
ITV's most enduring and successful dramas," said Steve. We're
delighted to be recommissioning a further six episodes and to be
continuing our working partnership with Jo Wright and her team,"
he added.

Jo Wright, executive producer,
said: " We are back for even more episodes next year thanks to
ITV, which gives us chance to explore more strange and entertaining
tales of Midsomer life. And with a new pathologist who will cause DS
Nelson trouble in more ways than one."

FEBRUARY 2015

ITV has now commissioned another
series of Midsomer Murders which will comprise of 6 episodes. Filming
will commence on Series 18 at the end of March.

'The Ballad of Midsomer County',
performed by Lucie Jones and Seth Lakeman in the episode of the same
title, is currently available as a download from Amazon
U.K. It will also be on a new Midsomer Murders CD, to be
released in March 2015 by Silva Screen.

JANUARY 2015

A stolen crime novel, celebrity
magic, a folk festival and the launch of a new English sparkling wine
become the backdrops for murder and mayhem when Neil Dudgeon and
Gwilym Lee return to the beautiful but deadly countryside of Midsomer
in a new series of Midsomer Murders.

Barnaby must also juggle life as a
new dad to baby Betty, with the support of his wife Sarah.

There's also the return of the
Barnabys' much loved pet, Sykes the dog. In the first episode,
"The Dagger Club", a newly-discovered novel by deceased
Midsomer crime-writer George Summersbee at the Luxton Deeping Crime
Festival is stolen. A woman is fatally electrocuted by a
booby-trapped roulette wheel. Can Barnaby and Nelson untangle a web
of jealousy and obsession to find the killer?

The second episode "Murder by
Magic" opens when a pub landlady is crushed to death during a
magic show in Midsomer Oaks. Barnaby and Nelson uncover conflict
between the village church and ancient pagan traditions. Is famous
magician and new Midsomer resident Gideon Latimer to blame or is he
the target?

In "The Ballad of Midsomer
County", a ballad made famous by late, lamented folk singer
Johnny Carver might be an inspiration for murder. Did someone want to
kill Toby Winning for threatening to take the Little Crosby Folk
Festival away from Midsomer - or is the true motive something hidden
for 20 years?

In the final episode, "A
Vintage Murder", the fizz goes out of a sparkling wine launch
whenthe glasses are laced with poison. Who is targeting the Midsomer
Vinae Winery and whatdoes the attack have to do with the death of a
child in a hit-and-run accident?

Executive Producer Jo Wright says:
"Midsomer Murders may have a touch of old fashioned charm about
it, but actually the themes we cover are modern issues affecting and
reflecting today's society. Wine production and commercial festivals
are part of today's countryside as is the influx of more
traditionally urban families, like our celebrity magician buying up
the local country house. The mixture of town and country and the
clashes thatbrings works really well for us.''

Despite its picture postcard
setting, more than 300 people have died before their time in
Midsomer. Bizarre and gruesome murder implements since the series
began include electrocution from a faulty microphone, death by
poisonous frog, a French guillotine, a hatpin in the ear, bottles of
relish, a tower of newspapers, a gargoyle from a roof and shelves of
Midsomer Blue cheese.

The new episodes are written by
Chris Murray, Rachel Cuperman & Sally Griffiths, Paul Logue and
Lisa Holdsworth and directed by Alex Pillai, Charles Palmer, Renny
Rye and Nick Laughland. The producer is Phil Hunter and the executive
producer is Jo Wright.

AUGUST 2014

If you think you fit this bill, do
contact Cactus TV at the e-mail address below.

It's a time of joy and happiness
in Midsomer for once - Christmas is coming and DCI Barnaby is about
to become a dad.

As Midsomer Murders returns to
ITV, Barnaby and his wife Sarah are celebrating the news that she is pregnant.

It's not the only change facing
Barnaby in the five-part series - new detective Charlie Nelson
(Gwilym Lee) moves into the patch, taking up his posting just in time
for an investigation at a 'haunted' house.

The regular team is completed by
the return of Tamzin Malleson as pathologist Dr Kate Wilding. Kate
becomes landlady to DS Nelson and, together with the Barnabys, helps
him celebrate his first Christmas in Midsomer.

Baby Barnaby, who is due to make
an appearance later in the series, was written into the drama when
actress Fiona Dolman discovered she was pregnant.

The pregnancy was a surprise, but
much longed-for, for single mum Fiona. In real life, her baby
Madeleine Charlotte was born in July.

Says Fiona: "I didn't think
I'd ever have a child so I feel very blessed. I am very happy to
bring up the baby on my own as I have incredible support and love
from my family.

"Things might not be perfect
but from the moment I held Madeleine in my arms we felt like a team.
I've got so much love around me, so I know we're going to be all right."

She adds: "Everyone on
Midsomer Murders has been so supportive and lovely. I went back in
October to film the fifth episode and Neil was very excited for me.

"I'm sure the Barnabys will
be good parents as they are both practical and have a good
relationship of equals. They share a fundamental set of values and
approach problems in a similar sort of way. The only problem is
whether Sykes the dog feels has been usurped by the newest member of
the family!"

The festive Midsomer Murders
episode, "The Christmas Haunting", is set in Morton
Shallows. DCI Barnaby and DS Nelson investigate the fatal stabbing of
a man with an antique sword during a ghost-hunting party at a
'haunted' manor house. Is blacksmith's daughter Rose Wilton seeking
revenge from the beyond the grave, or can Barnaby and Nelson find a
more earthly motive behind the murder and trap the killer?

Guest stars in the episode include
Elizabeth Berrington, Les Dennis, Mark Heap, Emily Joyce, James
Murray and Hannah Tointon. "The Christmas Haunting" is
written by Chris Murray, directed by Nick Laughland, produced by
Louise Sutton and the executive producer is Jo Wright.

SEPTEMBER 2013

To mark Midsomer's 100th episode,
'The Killings at Copenhagen' will be partly filmed in Denmark, whilst
in the U.K. it will return to the iconic location, 'Badger's Drift'.
DCI Barnaby and DS Nelson travel to Copenhagen when a body is
discovered that links back to a family that live in Midsomer. Danish
actors that will star in this special episode include Birgitte Hjort
Sorensen (Borgen) and Ann Eleanora Jorgensen (The Killing). Jo
Wright, Executive Producer says 'The Killings at Copenhagen' came
about because we wanted to do something special to mark the 100th
episode and it's great to be working with DR, the Danish broadcaster.Source : Midsomer Murders official
Facebook page

AUGUST 2013

There will now be 5 new episodes
in Series 16.

'The Christmas Haunting' should be
the first episode to go out on ITV. Obviously this will be scheduled
around the festive season.

APRIL 2013

Gwilym Lee joins Midsomer Murders
in brand new series for ITV

Gwilym Lee is the new face to join
Midsomer following the departure of Jason Hughes as DS Jones. Gwilym
will play DS Charlie Nelson the new partner to DCI John Barnaby [Neil
Dudgeon] helping to solve the many murders that crop up in the county
of Midsomer.

The duo will start filming five
new episodes for the sixteenth series in April for transmission on
ITV later this year.

Gwilym said today: 'I am delighted
to be joining such a popular and long running series as Midsomer
Murders. I have always watched it and can't wait to start work on it
now, as a regular character. It's a bit of a dream come true and I am
even looking forward to the various stunts that lie ahead of me - I
know Barnaby doesn't like jumping into freezing lakes!'.

Neil Dudgeon said: 'We've met and
got on really well and I really look forward to working with him this
year. It will be good to bring a new character into the series - and
keep Barnaby on his toes!'.

Jo Wright, Executive Producer
said: 'We looked long and hard for the right person and feel that
Gwilym can bring so much to the new series of Midsomer Murders. I
know he is a great choice, and he will work so well alongside Neil Dudgeon'.

Louise Sutton, Producer added: 'He
is a delight to be with, enthusiastic and will be a great addition to
the series. It will show a totally new dynamic to the partnership
with Barnaby which I am sure the viewers will enjoy.'

Gwilym's TV credits include:
Restless, Fresh Meat; The Hollow Crown, Land Girls, and his many
theatre credits include The Promise, Othello, Hamlet, Oedipus and
Richard III for the National, RSC, the Crucible and the Donmar, and
King Lear on Broadway.

MARCH 2013

Filming on a new series of
Midsomer Murders starts shortly, though sadly Jason Hughes will not
be in these stories. His replacement has not been announced as yet
but I'm sure we will hear something soon.

Good news for French viewers,
France 3 will start showing Series 15 on 24th March.

One of the Midsomer script
writers, Douglas Watkinson, is set to have his second book published
soon. It is called 'Easy Prey' and is a follow on to 'Haggard Hawk',
his first English Country Crime novel. The book should be available
to buy on Amazon shortly and will be published under his pen name
Marcus Barr. A third book is due out late summer.

The U.K. series 15 DVD box set is
now available to buy from Acorn Media's site - http://www.acornmediauk.com
If you place an order from them before May 6th they will enter you in
a prize draw to win a signed Midsomer Murders script. There are 3
scripts available to win - 'Death & the Divas', 'The Sicilian
Defence' and 'Schooled in Murder'.

JANUARY 2ND 2013

Neil Dudgeon appeared on the ITV1
programme 'This Morning' to promote the new episode 'Death & the
Divas'. He also said that filming will commence again at Easter so it
looks like we are in for a further series of Midsomer!

AUGUST 2012

Filming wraps on the last episode
of Series 15 at the end of August. There is still no news about a
further series being commissioned. As soon as I hear anything I'll
post details here. Let's just keep our fingers crossed for now.

JUNE 2012

Maureen Lipman has been filming a
new episode of Midsomer Murders - more details to follow.

Meanwhile Neil Dudgeon has joined
the Chenies & Latimer XI for a match against the Lashings World
XI as part of Chenies village Diamond Jubilee celebrations - Chenies
& Latimer Diamond Jubilee

APRIL 2012

As part of the Queen's Diamond
Jubilee Celebrations the Lashings World XI Cricket Team will be
playing the Chenies Guest XI in the village of Chenies,
Buckinghamshire on Monday, 4th June 2012. Neil Dudgeon and Jason
Hughes will be members of the Chenies Team at this event. Tickets can
be purchased from 'Brown Paper Tickets' - http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/23077

Filming has now started on 4 more
Series 15 episodes of Midsomer Murders. Series 16 has yet to be
commissioned by ITV. As soon as I hear any news I'll post it here.

NOVEMBER 2011

Sadly Celia Sheen, who played the
theremin for the Midsomer Murders theme tune, passed away at her home
at the end of October. She had been battling with cancer for some time.with thanks
to Anthony Haine for this info.

AUGUST 2011

Two new episodes of Midsomer have
now been commissioned. These will start filming in September 2011.

AUGUST 2011

Some new Series 14 episodes will
be coming to UK TV screens in the autumn.

Baffling new cases include the
gruesome discovery of a farmers body in a stone circle in
Midsomer Mow just days before the spring equinox, and the
disappearance of a VAT inspector who was investigating illicit
alcohol stills in Midsomer Abbas. The stories alsointroduce
Tamzin Malleson as Dr Kate Wilding, a no-nonsense pathologist who
takes up the mantel from long serving Dr. Bullard (Barry Jackson).Guest
stars joining the roll call of famous actors who have played
victims, murderers and eccentric villagers over the years include
Kevin Doyle, Barbara Flynn, Lee Ross, Francis Magee, Warren Clarke,
Patrick Ryecart, Denise Black and Richard Hawley. Fiona Dolman
returns as Barnabys wife Sarah.

JULY 2011

JOHN NETTLESJohn has recently been filming in
Jersey again. The production company involved are filming on behalf
of the 'Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust' who have commissioned
them to create a long format infomercial for the web. This will be go
live in September - more info. and pictures to follow then.

NEW PRODUCERFormer BBC and Talkback drama
executive, Jo Wright, is set to take over from Brian True-May as the
show's producer. She is due to oversee the 'yet to be commissioned'
development of series 15. It has been reported that the programme
will probably be 'refreshed'. |The new series will go into production
in the autumn if it is commissioned.

Jo Wrightwas
previously head of drama series at the BBC, where she oversaw
EastEnders, Casualty and Silent Witness. She was also controller of
drama at LWT and head of film and TV drama at Talkback Thames.

APRIL 2011

The Mid Hants Railway will be seen
in 'Echoes of the Dead' to be shown by ITV1 on the 20th April. Most
filming was centred around Ropley station and shed with a number of
walk on parts played by staff and volunteers. Steam traction is
likely to feature in the episode, Black 5 No. 45379 and 9F No. 92212
playing their part.

APRIL 2011

Daniel Casey will be taking part
in the Great North Run again, running for Leukaemia & Lymphoma
Research. The event will take place on 18th September 2011. The run
takes place at Newcastle/Gateshead.

John Nettles is set to be one of
the guests at a forthcoming Doctor Who Convention. This will take
place from 22nd - 24th April in Buckinghamshire, England. Full
details can be found on the Convention website at http://www.10thplanetevents.co.uk

MARCH 2011

Brian True-May was suspended by
All3Media last week after claiming in a Radio Times interview that
part of the ITV1 show's appeal was due to an absence of ethnic
minorities. Although subsequently reinstated, it has now been
reported that he will step down from his role at the end of the
current production run.

JANUARY 2011

John Nettles' very last Midsomer
Murders episode Fit for Murder will be
screened in the U.K. by ITV1 on 2nd Feburary 2011. A few tears may be
shed by viewers when John, in the guise of DCI Tom Barnaby, hangs up
his badge for the last time and retires quietly from Causton CID.

John says, "Barnaby
has been a great character to play; he's an island of calm
surrounded by death and destruction. I think the hundreds of murders
he has solved more than meets the targets of modern policing!

"It has been a joy to be
involved in such a long running series, with so many good actors and
great storylines. If Neil has half the good times that I have had on
Midsomer then he will be in seventh heaven. I am only worried that he
is much younger than I am and a much better actor!"

Producer Brian True-May adds:
"The departure of John Nettles from Midsomer marks the end of an
era, as the series grew from a single, pilot episode to become one of
the best-known and most-watched TV dramas in the world.

"Although we will miss the
huge contribution that John has made to the series, the brand of
Midsomer is so strong that I am confident of its continuing success.
We look forward to our new Barnaby tackling more murder and mayhem in Midsomer.

"Having said that, Barnaby's
final scene is a very emotional one, and there was scarcely a dry eye
when we finished filming. I'm sure it will touch a chord with John's
many fans in the UK and around the world, but it's a tribute to the
brilliant actor and great gentleman that he is, that the handover to
Neil Dudgeon is so seamless."

Brian reveals that two separate
endings were filmed for "Fit for Murder".

"We did one version showing
Barnaby's retirement party and another where it is a birthday
gathering. So for the first UK transmission, it will be the
retirement ending, but for repeat screenings when episodes are shown
in different orders and for international use, it will be the
birthday version. So in a way, John will always live on in Midsomer!"

'Not in My Backyard', due to be
screened in the New Year, is John Nettles' penultimate performance as
DCI Barnaby before he steps down from the role and hands in his
police badge. John, recently awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday
Honours, will appear on screen in just one further episode during 2011.

Responsibility for policing the
dangerous streets of Midsomer then passes to Neil Dudgeon, star of
The Mrs Bradley Mysteries, Life of Riley and Messiah, who joins the
cast to play DCI John Barnaby, a cousin of the original Barnaby, who
also works in the force.

The new Barnaby moves to Midsomer
to take up his new post, where he is joined by his wife Sarah, played
by Fiona Dolman. Four new episodes of series 14 have already been
filmed, with another four to follow during 2011.

John Nettles says: "I wanted
to die in noble fashion in the service of my country and then be
buried with full military honours in Westminster Abbey. In the event,
Tom and his long-suffering wife Joyce will simply retire. It's always
better to leave when people want more.

"It has been a joy to be
involved in such a long running series, with so many good actors and
great storylines. If Neil has half the good times that I have had on
Midsomer then he will be in seventh heaven. I am only worried that he
is much younger than I am and a much better actor!"

Producer Brian True-May adds:
"Although we will miss the huge contribution that John has made
to the series, the brand of Midsomer is so strong that I am confident
of its continuing success. We look forward to our new Barnaby
tackling more murder and mayhem in Midsomer."

John Nettles was awarded an OBE
yesterday in the Queens Birthday Honours list for his services to
drama. An OBE, 'Order of the British Empire' is awarded for a
distinguished regional or country-wide role in any field, through
achievement or service to the community, including notable
practitioners known nationally.

Midsomer Murders' Executive
Producer, Brian True-May has enlisted one of the series writers,
Michael Aitkens, to work on a new TV project for John Nettles.
Currently under the working title 'Country Matters' John will
probably be pitched to be a Justice of the Peace, living in a country
mansion. Brian has said that ITV have expressed an interest in the
series but it has not been commissioned as yet. This is all dependent
on seeing a script and assessing how much it will cost.

The Channel Islands At War *UK
Premiere*

Weekdays, 5pm (from Monday 28th
June 2010) - on the 'Yesterday' channel,
available on UK Freeview.

Marking the 70th anniversary of
the German invasion and occupation of the Channel Islands,
'Yesterday' travels across the Channel to revisit a World War II
story often forgotten.

This brand-new and exclusive
series, written and presented by John Nettles, is an emotional
examination of both the invasion and occupation, as well as the
legacy it left behind.

From June 1940, when the Nazis
arrived, until May 1945, the inhabitants of Jersey, Guernsey,
Alderney and Sark lived through five years of oppression, terror,
collaboration and near starvation that left an indelible scar
thats still evident 70 years later.

Johns journey takes him to
places that still bear witness to the war and to hear stories of
courage, outrage and deprivation from those who lived through the
horrifying experience.

The occupation of the first and
only British territories was seized upon by Hitler as a major coup
and, convinced that the British would attempt to recapture them, he
ordered an impregnable fortress to be built across the
Channel Islands. Within this fortress, horrors were routinely witnessed.

Visiting the site of the notorious
Lager Sylt concentration camp in Alderney where slave workers 
mainly Russians and Spanish Republicans  were housed, John
discovers that over 6,000 POWs toiled mercilessly. British
Intelligence estimates that four out of 10 died during their time in
the camp.

Another contentious topic John
explores is to what extent Channel Islanders actively helped the
Germans. The British Government had already decided that the islands
were of no strategic importance and had abandoned the islands to fend
for themselves with an instruction to passively
collaborate. After the liberation the Government commissioned
an inquiry, the Morrison Report, but it has never been published.
After the 50-year ban on publication ended, a further prohibition was
imposed. This continuing secrecy has prompted inevitable speculation,
which John tries to get to the bottom of and find some answers.

In this deeply personal project,
John also looks at how islanders survived as food and fuel supplies
dried up, uncovering first-hand stories featuring bravery and courage
in the face of extreme conditions.

Above all, John pays tribute to
the people of that time  ordinary people who trod a perilous
path through an epic conflict  and assesses how their lives
paved the way for the Jersey Way of today.

MAY 2010

Jane Wymark (Joyce Barnaby) will
be one of the guests on ITV1s 'This Morning' - Wednesday, 12th May.
Jane will be talking about her latest role in Midsomer Murders.

MARCH 29TH 2010

NEW EPISODES TO BE SHOWN ON UK
ITV1 THIS SPRING/SUMMER!

I'm sure everyone will be pleased
to learn that 4 new episodes are lined up to be shown on ITV1 this Spring/Summer.These will be as follows:

The Great & the GoodTalking to the Dead - at last!!The Made to Measure MurdersBlood on the Saddle

Cases include a stalking victim
who may not be as innocent as she appears, two couples who go missing
amid rumours of witchcraft and haunted woods, the death of an abused
wife in a village full of secrets, and Wild West style land feuds
that lead to terrifyingly real shoot-outs!

Among the guest stars lined up are
Paul Kaye, Jeroen Krabbe, Anton Lesser, Caroline Langrishe, Gwyneth
Strong and James Wilby.

As soon as I have confirmed
schedule dates I'll add these to the site.

FEBRUARY 9TH
2010

JOHN NETTLES REPLACEMENT ANNOUNCED!!

Neil Dudgeon to replace John
Nettles in Midsomer Murders.

ITV have announced today that Neil
Dudgeon will replace John Nettles in the series.

Neil is to play DCI John Barnaby,
a cousin of the original DCI Tom Barnaby, who also works in the force.

He will appear in tomorrow
nights ITV1 episode (10 February) entitled The Sword of
Guillaume, based in Brighton. Tom Barnaby is despatched to the
South Coast and enlists his cousins help in solving a crime.

John has appeared in more than 80
episodes of Midsomer over 13 years and finishes filming in July. Neil
will then take on his role when the 14th series of Midsomer Murders
begins shooting at the end of July.

Commenting today John Nettles
said: I wanted to die in noble fashion in the service of my
country and then be buried with full military honours in Westminster
Abbey. In the event, Tom and his long-suffering wife Joyce will
simply retire. Its always better to leave when people want more.

It has been a joy to be
involved in such a long running series, with so many good actors and
great storylines. If Neil has half the good times that I have had on
Midsomer then he will be in seventh heaven. I am only worried that he
is much younger than I am and a much better actor!

Producer Brian True-May added:
Although we will miss the huge contribution that John has made
to the series, the brand of Midsomer is so strong that I am confident
of its continuing success. We look forward to our new Barnaby
tackling more murder and mayhem in Midsomer.

Having worked with Neil
Dudgeon twice on Midsomer Murders already, I feel he is the perfect
choice. I admire him as an actor and know he will be a wonderful
addition to the team and a great ambassador for the series.

Peter Fincham, ITVs Director
of Television, Channels and Online said: Were delighted
Neil will carry on the Barnaby name. Hes a fine actor and
were pleased hes agreed to join the series. John has been
hugely instrumental in creating a much loved character and a highly
successful long running series for ITV and were very grateful
to him.

Fans of Jason Hughes will be
pleased to learn that he will continue to play D.S. Ben Jones when
Neil Dudgeon joins the fold.

Neil Dudgeons television
credits include: The Life of Riley; Sorted; Mrs Bradley Mysteries;
Common As Muck and Messiah. He has previously appeared in Midsomer as
amourous gardener, Daniel Bolt.

JANUARY 2010

The final four episodes of Series
13 will be filmed this year, with John Nettles working on his very
last story in August. As to the future of Midsomer, Executive
Producer, Brian True-May is keen to continue with another actor at
the helm. However, any announcement has been held back until ITV
decide whether or not they will commission another series.

What's new for fans of Midsomer
Murders in the latest film "Small Mercies"?The episode references Gulliver's
Travels because the murder victim is a man found tied down to the
ground in a model village as if he was like Gulliver in Lilliput. We
filmed the scenes at Bekonscot Model Village in Beaconsfield, which
is a 1930s time warp and an ideal setting for deadly deeds in Midsomer.

How close are you to being an
honorary policeman after solving so many on-screen crimes?Barnaby and Bergerac before him
have seen more dead bodies than any real-life policemen, but there is
nothing distressing about the world they conjure up. No-one is going
to have nightmares after watching either programme. I have played a
policeman for the last 20 years, but it's a very different world to
the one that real policeman inhabit, and I could not do their job.

Has anyone ever asked for your
help in a real life crime?No, but my daughter Emma was
staying with me in Jersey once and we had our bicycles parked
outside. They were nicked - but I didn't even notice they had gone
for two weeks. Apparently two lads had attacked a guy with a firing
pistol, seen our bikes and made off on them. I only realised when I
was told by the police they might be ours. That's my only brush with
crime - and I made an utterly useless detective!

Are the villages as idyllic as
they look on screen?I love the locations in Midsomer
and often go back to have lunch in villages like Bledlow or The Lee
in Buckinghamshire when we're not filming. We work in some beautiful
old manor houses and gardens, and the churches are haunting and
romantic with stunning Norman architecture. It's not always as
peaceful as it appears though - filming often gets interrupted by
aircraft noise and eternal strimmers.

When will the villagers of
Midsomer work out they are living in the most dangerous county of Britain?It's a highly dangerous place and
I believe it has a murder rate 10 times that of Chicago! My old
professor of logic from the University of Southampton wrote to me
saying, by process of elimination, DCI Tom Barnaby must be the
murderer. I've been forced to hand in my badge before I'm the only
one left standing!

When you complete filming what
will be your favourite memories of the series?My favourite memories will be of
the cast and crew alike. I will miss the camaraderie and company of
all the different actors who have graced our episodes down the years.
Each time we film an episode it is like a reunion of long lost friends.

Another memorable moment was when
I met the Queen. She looked at me, all eyes twinkling, and said
"Well I certainly shan't be visiting Midsomer - far too dangerous"!

MIDSOMER
IN THE USA!

US fans will be pleased to know
that the following channels will start airing episodes of Midsomer
Murders in October 2009 :

What's new for lovers of Midsomer
Murders in the latest film "The Glitch"?"We discover that Midsomer
has a university - something that has remained a secret until now! It
seems that the corridors of academia could be hiding a murderer. We
also get to see Jones - and Joyce - take part in a bike race."

Is it true that there will be an
end to the murders at Midsomer when you go?"There will continue to be
murders in Midsomer without me. It's that kind of place and after all
the series is not called Barnaby. If my replacement has half the good
times that I have had on Midsomer then he will be in seventh heaven.''

Can you give us a hint as to how
Barnaby will go out?"I had been considering
leaving Midsomer since Series 10. I wanted to die in noble fashion in
the service of my country and then be buried with full military
honours in Westminster Abbey. In the event, Tom and long-suffering
wife Joyce will simply retire. It's always better to leave when
people want more."

What is your favourite aspect of
Barnaby's character?"Detective Chief Inspector
Barnaby is a regular cop, middle-aged and sits behind a desk
thinking. He has terrible taste in clothes, lives in an awful house
and drives an old car - but I like him that way.

"He's happily married and is
not dysfunctional in any way. He's there to be the sheet anchor of
the programme, he's really the viewer asking questions to find out
who did it and not to be too intrusive. He's the only normal person
there which gives a lot of scope for that host of English actors who
are wonderful at playing eccentricity."

Who has been your favourite
sidekick and do you prefer Barnaby's sidekicks to be less handsome
than he is?"I always wanted a female
sidekick, someone like Blythe Duff, that would have been great. But
seriously, you cannot really compare the sidekicks, they have all
been very different. The first two, Troy and Scott, were young and
ambitious and new to the profession.

"Jones as Jason Hughes is
more mature and considered, and it has moved away from the father/son
relationship he had with the previous sidekicks. They are more equal,
it is a much more grown up relationship. The trick with Jones is that
he is almost but not quite as good a policeman as Barnaby. He has a
proper role in the series. I find that more interesting to play.

"But in one episode I
objected to Jones being filmed in the shower, as an ageing
heart-throb I object to my ground being stolen."

What are you filming at the moment?"An episode entitled 'The
Sword of Guillame', which has been set in Brighton. You come into
work and have scenes with Saskia Reeves, Lucy Cohu and Janet Suzman -
you can't really ask for more than that. Also on this episode we have
Brian Capron and Neil Dudgeon.

"That is what I am going to
miss the most when I leave Midsomer, the camaraderie and company of
all the different actors who come in each episode."

You are a bit of an icon with
Ricky Wilson from the band Kaiser Chiefs, who has apparently done
paintings of you?"I am very pleased to know
that because it is a myth that the show and myself only appeal to
prosaic 60 year olds. I get lots of letters from fans of all ages,
from teenagers to pensioners, from all over the world. I would
certainly buy one of Ricky's paintings if they were up for sale!"

What's the oddest thing a fan has
ever sent you?"I got some ladies underwear
sent to me in the post in the early 1990s. I was rather flattered
until Les Dawson said he got a pair too, and that took the shine off it."

What has been your favourite
episode and why?"One of my favourite episodes
was 'The Axeman Cometh', as it did have a fine line between comedy
and drama. The cast were brilliant - Suzi Quatro, Michael Angelis,
James Cosmo - it was a joyful one to film, and the plot was great.
Poor old Suzi Quatro going for the high C and then being
electrocuted. Everyone stopped when she dropped dead, all apart from
the drummer who was stone deaf. That really made me laugh, really lovely."

"A favourite murder was an
episode starring Oliver Ford Davies. He was playing one of those
irritating wine buffs who know everything. He met his end pinioned to
the lawn with croquet hoops, and battered with bottles of his
Lafayette, launched from a trebuchet on the lawn."

What's the best advice you've
been given?"Never go back. Tom Baker,
the former Dr Who, told me that and he is absolutely right. It's
never the same the second time round. Once I have quit next year,
that will be it. And never go back to a place you have loved. It will
have changed and won't be as good again."

What are you looking forward to
after Midsomer Murders wraps? And when will that be?"I will finish filming in the
autumn of 2010 and will have filmed over 80 episodes by then. I want
to do more stage work, and I see myself spending my twilight years
treading the boards. I'm also planning to do a bunch of
documentaries, so I will be kicking off by going home and doing a
series on the occupation of Jersey for UKTV."

SEPTEMBER 2009

Peter Davidson is one of the
actors who has been tipped to take over the role Midsomer's new DCI
when Barnaby leaves the fold next year. However, an official
announcement as to who will take up the mantel is due to be made at
the Cannes Festival next month, so we will have to wait until then to
find out who will be following in Barnaby's footsteps.

Maroussa Frank, Ian Richardson's
widow has a small part in 'The Great & the Good' playing the role
of housekeeper, Jenny. As many of you know, Ian Richardson was due to
play a key role in 'Death in a Chocolate Box' but sadly died shortly
before filming was due to take place.

JULY 2009

Paul Chapman, who played Reg
Buckley in 'Faithful Unto Death' has just filmed another episode of
Midsomer Murders. Paul's many other roles include the part of Stephen
in the comedy series 'As Time Goes By' and a key role in the Prisoner
of War drama, Colditz.

John said that it was a difficult
decision to leave Midsomer Murders - he will miss the comradery of
Jason Hughes, the crew and guest actors greatly, and in particular
Jane Wymark and Barry Jackson who've both been with the series since
the very beginning. However, it has become a year round job, so it
will be lovely to get back home for a while. His wife is delighted
that he will be retiring as Barnaby. It did get to the stage that he
had more bed scenes with Joyce Barnaby than those in real life! John
is also keen to go back to the stage again, something which he has
really missed. Other plans include making a documentary for U.K. TV
on the occupation of the Channel Islands. John is confident that the
series will carry on very well without him and can see it going on
for many years. As to the new lead, well Brian True-May is 95% sure
he knows who this will be. All will be revealed in October this year
at MIPCOM in Cannes! The only thing he was prepared to reveal now is
that the mantel will be taken over by another man.

The last episode with John will be
shot in August 2010 which means he will still be on our screens in
the role of Barnaby until 2011 so there is much more of 'Barnaby' for
viewers to look forward to.

John joked that he would like to
die in nobel fashion, however, this was somewhat frowned upon! Brian
True-May has said that it is not planned for Barnaby to have a very
spectacular departure, he believes he will just quietly fade away. It
will end as a normal episode. There are definitely no plans for him
to suffer the same fate as many of his sceen counterparts. This is
largely because repeats of episodes are often shown out of order in
the U.K. and abroad so it would complicate matters if a dramatic
ending was filmed. However, it is possible that 2 endings may be
shot, one for the U.K. and one for overseas markets, though nothing
has been confirmed at present.

John doesn't see himself embarking
upon any other long-running T.V. series - he joked that he is

too old anyway! When asked if he
would ever go back to Midsomer, perhaps for a one off story or
revival - unfortunately the answer was no, he doesn't believe in
going back. He did say that he would love to do a US series though,
especially 'CSI Miami' a favourite of his.

Favourite moments in the series to
date include Benjamin Whitrow almost being incarcerated alive in a
coffin - coming up shortly in Secrets and Spies
John also remarked on being impressed with the very sexy voice that
the French dubber has given him!

There will now be just two new
episodes shown in July - The Dogleg Murders
and Secrets and Spies - these will be
shown during the 3rd and 4th weeks in July respectively with a repeat
of an old episode in August.Photos by kind permission of Ian Wylie

JASON HUGHESJason admits he has mixed feelings
about John's decision to leave Midsomer Murders. "I had known
for a while, as John had talked to me about it. My initial feeling
was of course disappointment that he was leaving. We have such a good
relationship on and off set that naturally I don't want to see him
go". However, he thinks that John deserves a break after such a
long time on the show.

By the time John retires he would
have filmed 38 episodes with him, spanning 5 years which is a long
time to work with anybody. Jason has learnt to be patient and
gracious from John and never throw a wobbly when things go wrong. He
said that John is a very patient guy taking everything in his stride.
When asked if he has any suggestions on how John should go, Jason
said that he hadn't really thought about it as this is over a year
away. However, he joked, "they can't kill him, can they?"
and that perhaps 'Jones' will come out of the closet and garrote him.

'Jones' gets to play some cricket
in Secrets and Spies and Jason said it
was good to pick up a cricket bat again. He used to play in county
cricket for Glamorgan and has also played some golf in the past.
Jason is a very keen sportsman and wanted to make this his career originally.

When asked if there is any romance
on the horizon for 'Jones', Jason said he didn't know. There was some
sexual chemistry between him and Gail in one episode where they got
all flirty but this seems to have disappeared for the moment.

KIRSTY DILLION (WPC Gail Stephens)Kirsty first came onto the
Midsomer scene in Death & Dust where
she is seen unravelling some things on a PC in doctors surgery. Brian
True-May thought this brought something modern to the series so
decided that Kirsty's role would be good for the future. We were told
that there would be lots more challenges coming up for her in Midsomer.

Kirsty herself sees her character
as tenacious and ambitious but she is quite light hearted too. She
will be promoted out of uniform to a detective in Secrets
and Spies and it becomes obvious from her reaction that she has
wanted this for some time. Gail Stephens also comes across as being a
bit emotional and Kirsty doesn't know how this will impair or help
her character in the future.

Kirsty said that she couldn't
think of a better place to learn her acting skills. When she joined
the cast she was amazed at John Nettles. She always feels in safe
hands because he is so easy to engage, very twinkly and with you
every step of the way. He also carries scenes with an effortless
energy making it look really easy. She admits to being star struck by
some of the guest stars too - there was one scene in 'Days of
Misrule' where she didn't have anything to say but was in a small
room with John, Judy Parfitt and Niamh Cusack
- 'it was like being at a master class'!

JUNE 2009

Three new episodes should be shown
in the U.K. end July/beginning of August. More details to follow w/c
22nd June.

Viewers in the Netherlands were
lucky enough to see 'The Dogleg Murders' on their screens recently -
they are the first country to see this new episode.